CONI suspends racism ruling against Juventus

ROME 
The Italian Olympic Committee has suspended a ruling by the Italian soccer federation that had ordered Juventus to play its next Serie A home match in an empty stadium as punishment for fans' racist insults.

CONI's high court said on Thursday it would meet again on May 14 to make a decision on the case.

An Italian sports judge ruled last week that Juventus must play against Lecce on Sunday in an empty stadium. Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli, an Italian of Ghanaian descent, was racially abused during a 1-1 draw at Turin's Olympic Stadium this month.

Juventus apologized for the racist abuse but appealed the ruling, maintaining Balotelli and other players were booed at many other matches and the Turin-based club was being singled out for punishment.